COURAGE IN ADVERSITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20302, 9 July 1929, Page 10

COURAGE IN ADVERSITY.

If from anyone who had fortunately escaped the perils, terrors and losses of the earthquake theie had come the suggestion that those who had' been forced to abandon their homes should return at the earliest possible moment, the advice would have seemed like a taunt. The people of Murchison are being urged not to despair, but to take up the threads of their old existence, to, set about repairing the damage, and urged by one who has the right to speak in this vein. He was there when the blow fell, ho was there through the worst of the terrors, took a leading part in the emergency measures required to meet the extraordinary circumstances, and now looks forward to the day when the Murchison community, scattered by adversity, will be united again as it was before. At such a distance it is not possible to judge of Mr. Fraser's claim that however great the damage done, Murchison can bo speedily restored to prosperity. He says himself that a calm survey must be made before definite plans can be formed. What does stand out beyond mistake is the faith he shows in the district, the firm belief that its essential qualities have not been destroyed, -but only obscured. It is possible that this general claim is not applicable in every case. There may be farms which have been ruined beyond repair. There may be here and there a business t<hat cannot be set on its feet again after the loss the earthquake has caused. Whether that be so or nob, it is reasonable to suppose that a whole district has not been made uninhabitable, and that much which has been cast down can be set up n&ain. On that assumption, the tane of this appeal to the people of Murchison is admirable, the example of courage in adversity one to be whole-heartedly admired. Help will be forthcoming when the work of rejpair is ready to begin, and the Msurohison community, resnondinq: to this appeal, will have the goodwill of the whole country in the task before it.